Anne Frye, regional director of sales and marketing at Denver-based hotel owner, operator and developer Stonebridge Companies, has been selected to join the board of directors of the Cherry Creek Chamber of Commerce, which works to connect local business leaders and provide service to the local community. Frye joins a Board comprised of a diverse group of local experts that represent both small and larger businesses in the community.

“It is a great honor to be accepted to the Cherry Creek Chamber Board of Directors,” said Anne Frye, regional director of sales and marketing at Stonebridge Companies. “The Cherry Creek Chamber has established itself as a unique and proactive connector for Denver leaders, and I am thrilled for the opportunity to work alongside these experts to further worthwhile initiatives in our business community.”

In her role at the corporate office of Stonebridge Companies, Frye oversees the sales and marketing efforts of twelve hotels across Colorado and in New York City. Four of the properties she is responsible for are members of the Cherry Creek Chamber including the Residence Inn Cherry Creek; Hilton Garden Inn Cherry Creek; Courtyard by Marriott Cherry Creek; and The Jacquard Hotel & Rooftop, planned to open in the summer.

“We are pleased to welcome Anne to the Cherry Creek Chamber Board, embracing her expertise to help guide the chamber's upcoming endeavors,” said Christine Des Enfants, executive director of the Cherry Creek Chamber of Commerce. “With more than 20 years of experience in the hospitality field, Anne will contribute a unique and valuable perspective.”

Along with her role as a member of the Cherry Creek Chamber of Commerce's Board of Directors, Frye is also actively involved with the University of Virginia's Club of Colorado.

About Stonebridge Companies

Founded in 1991 by Navin C. Dimond, Stonebridge Companies is a privately owned, innovative hotel owner, operator and developer headquartered in Denver, Colorado. Its diverse portfolio of over 50 hotels includes select-service, extended-stay, mid-scale and full-service hotels in markets throughout the U.S. For detailed information, visit www.sbcos.com.

Human Resources: An Era of Transition

Traditionally, the human resource department administers five key areas within a hotel operation - compliance, compensation and benefits, organizational dynamics, selection and retention, and training and development. However, HR professionals are also presently involved in culture-building activities, as well as implementing new employee on-boarding practices and engagement initiatives. As a result, HR professionals have been elevated to senior leadership status, creating value and profit within their organization. Still, they continue to face some intractable issues, including a shrinking talent pool and the need to recruit top-notch employees who are empowered to provide outstanding customer service. In order to attract top-tier talent, one option is to take advantage of recruitment opportunities offered through colleges and universities, especially if they have a hospitality major. This pool of prospective employees is likely to be better educated and more enthusiastic than walk-in hires. Also, once hired, there could be additional training and development opportunities that stem from an association with a college or university. Continuing education courses, business conferences, seminars and online instruction - all can be a valuable source of employee development opportunities. In addition to meeting recruitment demands in the present, HR professionals must also be forward-thinking, anticipating the skills that will be needed in the future to meet guest expectations. One such skill that is becoming increasingly valued is “resilience”, the ability to “go with the flow” and not become overwhelmed by the disruptive influencesof change and reinvention. In an era of transition—new technologies, expanding markets, consolidation of brands and businesses, and modifications in people's values and lifestyles - the capacity to remain flexible, nimble and resilient is a valuable skill to possess. The March Hotel Business Review will examine some of the strategies that HR professionals are employing to ensure that their hotel operations continue to thrive.